Poverty Simulations

A month in the life...

How do we get our neighbors, our leaders, and our communities to see how poverty feeds into the cycles of teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, violence, or incarceration? The Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri (CAPNCM) wants to open people’s eyes to the human cost of poverty. A poverty simulation is a unique opportunity to help the community understand what life is like with a shortage of money & an abundance of stress. Many of the individuals and families in our nine county service area face poverty every day. Using a simulation kit, participants role play in the lives of low-income families. Family scenarios are given out to groups who participate and each family is given time to seek services and support, obtain financial assistance, and simply decide how to spend what little money they have to survive.

What Would You Do?

Week 1:The month has just begun and your family must decide what to do first.“I have no job and my bills are due”“I have to get to work and my mother is too sick to help care for the baby”Where do I go, what do I do?

Week 2:Participants are realizing that it is frustrating to wait in line and not have enough money to pay bills.“If I pay my utilities and rent do I purchase groceries or medication for my child?”Where do I go, what do I do?

Week 3:Participants that have not paid their mortgage will receive eviction notices.“My child is skipping school and suddenly offers to help purchase groceries or pay bills.”Where do I go, what do I do?

Week 4:Participants will have to get all of their bills paid and the family fed by the end of the week.“I wonder what the minimum amount is that I can pay to keep my utilities on?”Where do I go, what do I do?

How Does It Work?

In the simulation, 40-85 participants will assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty.

Some families are newly unemployed, senior citizens receiving social security income only, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the “families” is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15 minute “weeks”.

The simulation is conducted in a large room beginning with the families seated in groups in the center. Around the perimeter are tables representing community resources and services for the families. These services include; a bank, a grocery store, a Community Action Agency, an employer, utility company, pawn broker, DFS office, payday and title loan facility, daycare, and school.

For more information about poverty simulations or information on how to schedule one for your group, please contact Traci Fields ext. 1080.